A new hot pot restaurant, Niu Hot Pot, is seeking a premises licence to sell alcohol and provide recorded music at 43 Commercial Street, London, E1 6BD.
The application, submitted by Luxx Catering Ltd, was discussed at a meeting of the Tower Hamlets Licensing Sub Committee on Tuesday 14 October 2025. The Public Reports Pack notes that Environmental Protection and Spitalfields Residents Against Anti-Social Behaviour (SPIRE) have submitted representations against the application.
Environmental Protection's concerns include potential noise affecting residents and issues related to customers entering and leaving the premises, including smoking outside. SPIRE believes the applicant has not adequately explained how they will meet the licensing objectives, particularly the prevention of crime and disorder and the prevention of public nuisance.
The report pack notes that the applicant has offered measures in the operating schedule to address the promotion of the licensing objectives. These measures include displaying prominent notices at all exits requesting customers to respect local residents and leave the area quietly, and displaying a notice stating that a Challenge 25 Policy is operated at the premises
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It also lists a number of conditions agreed with the police and the Licensing Authority, including measures relating to incident logs, CCTV, and staff training. Specific conditions agreed with the police include:
- When the designated premise supervisor is not on the premises any or all persons authorised to sell alcohol will be authorised by the designated premises supervisor in writing.
- A record shall be kept detailing all refused sales of alcohol, including the date and time of the refused sale and the name of the member of staff who refused the sale, and the outcome of the person who was intoxicated.
- All front of house staff members & managers will attend a Welfare and Vulnerability Engagement course or other accredited welfare course.
- SIA licensed door supervisors will be hired on a risk assessment basis.
- Challenge 25 proof of age scheme shall be operated at the premises.
Conditions agreed with the Licensing Authority include:
- The supply of alcohol at the premises shall only be to a person seated taking a table meal there and for consumption by such a person as ancillary to their meal.
- Notices shall be prominently displayed at all exits requesting patrons to respect the needs of local residents and businesses and leave the area quietly.
According to the Public Reports Pack, the licensable activities and timings applied for are:
- The sale by retail of alcohol (on sales only):
- Monday to Saturday, from 12:00 hrs to 23:00 hrs
- Sunday, from 12:00 hrs to 22:30 hrs
- The provision of regulated entertainment (Indoors) Recorded music:
- Monday to Saturday, from 12:00 hrs to 23:00 hrs
- Sunday, from 12:00 hrs to 22:30 hrs
- Hours premises is open to the public:
- Monday to Saturday, from 12:00 hrs to 23:00 hrs
- Sunday, from 12:00 hrs to 22:30 hrs
Niu Hot Pot Appendices Only - 14 Oct 25 includes photographs of the venue and immediate vicinity, the site plan of the venue, maps showing the vicinity. The document also lists other licensed venues in the immediate vicinity, including:
- (Som Saa) 43a Commercial Street: Sale of alcohol (on and off sales) and late night refreshment. Opening hours: Monday to Thursday (10:00-23:30), Friday and Saturday (10:00-00:00), Sunday (12:00-22:30).
- (The Space Spitalfields) 44 Commercial Street: Sale of alcohol (on sales), late night refreshment, and regulated entertainment. Opening hours: Monday to Sunday (11:00-23:30).
- (YUU Kitchen Ltd) 29 Commercial Street: Sale of alcohol (on and off sales) and late night refreshment. Opening hours: Monday - Thursday (12:00-23:30), Friday – Saturday (12:00-00:00), Sunday (12:00-23:00).
- (Club Mexicana Vegan Restaurant) 46 - 48 Commercial Street: Sale of alcohol (on and off sales) and late night refreshment. Opening hours: Monday to Thursday (10:00-23:30), Friday and Saturday (10:00-00:00), Sunday (10:00-22:30).
- (Vish Convenience Store) 59 Commercial Street: Sale of alcohol (off sales only). Opening hours: Monday to Saturday (09:00-22:30), Sunday (10:00-22:30).
- (Cafe Ceylon) 57 Commercial Street: Sale of alcohol (on sales) and late night refreshment. Opening hours: Monday to Thursday (10:00-23:30), Friday & Saturday (10:00-00:00), Sunday (10:00-22:30).
- (Tofu Vegan) 54 Commercial Street: Sale of alcohol (on sales) and late night refreshment. Opening hours: Sunday to Wednesday (11:00-23:00), Thursday to Saturday (11:00-00:00).
- (The Culpeper) 40 Commercial Street: Sale of alcohol (on and off sales), regulated entertainment (plays, films, indoor sporting events, recorded music, performance of dance, provision of facilities for making music and provision of facilities for dancing) and late night refreshment. Opening hours: Monday to Wednesday (07:00-00:00), Thursday to Saturday (07:00-03:00), Sunday (10:00-23:00).
- (Slurp) 60 - 62 Commercial Street: Sale of alcohol (on and off sales) and late night refreshment. Opening hours: Monday to Thursday (10:00-23:30), Friday and Saturday (10:00-00:00), Sunday (12:00-23:30).
- (House of Music & Entertainment) 20 Commercial Street: Sale of alcohol (on sales only). Opening hours: Monday to Saturday (17:00-23:00), Sunday (17:00-22:00).
- (Trade) 47 Commercial Street: Sale of alcohol (on sales only). Opening hours: Monday to Saturday (09:00-23:30), Sunday (09:00-21:00).
- (Classic Football Shirts) 17 Commercial Street: Sale of alcohol (on sales). Opening hours: Monday to Saturday (11:00-23:00), Sunday (11:00-22:30).
- (Artsadmin) Toynbee Studios 28 Commercial Street: Alcohol (On supplies) and Regulated entertainment. Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, from 08:30 hours to 12midnight
Niu Hot Pot Cover Report - 14 Oct 25 notes the specific concerns of Environmental Protection and SPIRE.
Supplemental Agenda 1 14th-Oct-2025 18.30 Licensing Sub Committee and Supplemental Agenda 2 14th-Oct-2025 18.30 Licensing Sub Committee provide the agenda for the meeting.
The Licensing Sub Committee will consider the application and representations before making a decision.
